Default
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(1): ( v. i.) To fail in duty; to offend.
(2): ( v. t.) To fail to perform or pay; to be guilty of neglect of; to omit; as, to default a dividend.
(3): ( v. t.) To call a defendant or other party whose duty it is to be present in court, and make entry of his default, if he fails to appear; to enter a default against.
(4): ( n.) Fault; offense; ill deed; wrong act; failure in virtue or wisdom.
(5): ( n.) A failing or failure; omission of that which ought to be done; neglect to do what duty or law requires; as, this evil has happened through the governor's default.
(6): ( v. i.) To fail in fulfilling a contract, agreement, or duty.
(7): ( v. i.) To fail to appear in court; to let a case go by default.
(8): ( v. t.) To leave out of account; to omit.
(9): ( n.) A neglect of, or failure to take, some step necessary to secure the benefit of law, as a failure to appear in court at a day assigned, especially of the defendant in a suit when called to make answer; also of jurors, witnesses, etc.
King James Dictionary [2]
Default, n.
1. A failing, or failure an omission of that which ought to be done neglect to do what duty or law requires as, this evil has happened through the governors default. A default or fault, may be a crime, a vice, or a mere defect, according to the nature of the duty omitted. 2. Defect want failure.
Cooks could make artificial birds, in default of real ones.
3. In law, a failure of appearance in court at a day assigned, particularly of the defendant in a suit when called to make answer. It may be applied to jurors, witnesses, &c. but a plaintiffs failing to appear by himself or attorney, is usually called a non-appearance.
To suffer default, is to permit an action to be called without appearing or answering applied to a defendant.
